How to Get Ahead in 2018

By Buffini & Company

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Success doesn’t happen by chance; it’s the result of creating goals, developing focus, practicing good habits and committing to hard work. The process isn’t glamorous; however, the results lead to the life and business you want. The key to getting ahead begins with a solid start.

Have a plan. “A goal without a plan is just a wish,” especially if you live in a competitive market. Once you’ve set goals to reach, outline your plan to achieve them. What activities will help you achieve your goals and how often will you do them? Write down each activity, as well as whether you’ll do them daily, weekly, etc. Then, schedule them into your calendar so you can ensure you do them. If you’re using a relationship-based CRM, what you need to do and how often is automatically calculated and proposed as you establish your goals.

Get back to basics. The fundamentals are the bedrock of your business; they’re the timeless non-negotiables required to move from stability to success, and then onto significance. Although technology and other tools can aid along the way, by sticking with the basics, and building long-term relationships with those in your database, you’ll develop a thriving business.

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Sharpen your communication skills. We all prefer to be communicated with in a certain way, and when our expectations aren’t met, that’s when misunderstandings occur. When you understand your clients and their communication style, you can connect with them on a deeper level. Do they prefer to get the facts first or do they want to imagine themselves in the home? Are they straightforward and get straight to the point of the conversation, or do they prefer a bit of small talk before you get to the reason for calling? By understanding different communication styles, you can speak to your client how they wish to be spoken to and stand apart from your competition.

Use your time more efficiently. Efficiency and productivity go hand-in-hand. If you want to boost your productivity, it’s essential to get organized. Organization is a struggle for many agents and real estate professionals, and many become overwhelmed trying to rein in the chaos. It’s important to develop strategies that will help you work more efficiently.

Delegate the smaller, time-consuming tasks to an assistant or to someone with that specialty. For example, if taxes aren’t your strength, hire a tax professional to handle your business and personal taxes for you. If you have trouble remembering to send your monthly marketing materials each month, assign it to an assistant or have them sent for you.

Set priorities. When you work for yourself, everything seems like a priority. The trick is to pinpoint the tasks that are a true priority from the tasks that aren’t as important. When you review your to-do list each day, select one or two tasks that have to get done no matter what. Then, once those are complete, choose the next two most important tasks. You may not get everything done in a day; however, you will complete all the tasks that matter the most.

Time block. Schedule your day to ensure you’ll complete your top priorities. Time blocking allows you to focus on a single task for an hour or so. During that hour, you’ll keep distractions and less important tasks at bay. This allows you to focus on your top priority of the hour, whether it’s lead generation or planning your next client party.

Commit to personal growth. If you want to grow your business, it’s essential to grow your mind, as well. Attend seminars to get game-changing tools to boost your business and network with other successful professionals. Also, make time in your day to read books written by or about successful business leaders and listen to podcasts in your car when you’re on your way to a listing appointment or driving to the office. These tasks may seem small (and are often pushed off to the next day’s to-do list); however, their impact is huge, both in your business and in your life.